Drink coffee reduces risk of liver cirrhosis

Washington D.C.: A recent review has linked regular consumption of coffee with a reduced risk of liver cirrhosis.

In patients with cirrhosis, the liver becomes scarred often as a result of long-term and persistent injury from toxins like alcohol and viruses like hepatitis C. It can be fatal because it increases the risk of liver failure and cancer.

The analysis conducted by Wiley found that an extra 2 cups of coffee per day may reduce the risk of cirrhosis by 44 per cent and it may nearly halve the risk of dying from cirrhosis.

Lead author Dr. O. J. Kennedy said that coffee appeared to protect against cirrhosis and their research could be an important finding for patients at risk of cirrhosis to help to improve their health outcomes.

Kennedy added that they now need robust clinical trials to investigate the wider benefits and harms of coffee so that doctors can make specific recommendations to patients.

The research is published in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.